BV 138 + Rocket projectiles???

[cz_raf]

Hi all,

I have read following info in ORB of one Baltimore Squadron in North Africa:

6.9.44 ...was attacked by BV 138 which fired 8 rocket type projectiles....

Have anybody heard that BV 138 use also some kind of rockets? I am unable to find any information about that.

TIA

Pavel

[Nick Beale]

It's hard to imagine that a pilot could manoeuvre a plane as big as a Bv 138 quickly enough the bring rockets to bear on another aircraft.

Also, are you sure you have the right date? The Luftwaffe was long gone from North Africa in September 1944.

[Griffon]

could it be that those were recognition flares, fired with the intent of distracting the attacking Baltimore?

also, the date seems to be a little questionworthy, as Nick has pointed out already...

[Jon]

Yes, i would go with the Flare story too, i can't find any record of rockets being used on the BV 138.

Staying on the subject of Flares, One Blenheim RAF airgunner, i think during the Battle of Britain or just before claimed two BF109's after shooting a flare at them having used up all his ammunition.
The 109's reared up on seeing the flare traveling towards them and crashed into each other mid English Channel.

I can understand in a state of mad desperation flares being fired in defence, but not in attack as they would acheive nothing!

[cz_raf]

Hi chaps,

many thanks for your comments. Some additional info:

1) I am sure - the date is 6.9.1944
2) maybe I wrote not exact position - Baltimore was from North Africa but the accident happens over Greece Islands
3) from the report I understand that BV 138 fire 8 rocket at the time...

So my question is - as I suppose BV 138 is so typical it can not be mistaken - can BV 138 carry some kind of special cannon of heavy calibre and its shells can be mistaken for rockets?

Many thanks for any ideas.

Pavel

[Seaplanes]

Dear Pavel,

I find it hard to believe that any BV 138 was used operationally in the Med area as late as 6.9.1944, or at any time before that date for that matter. The only two units equipped with BV 138 in southern/eastern Europe in the summer of 1944 were 1.(F)/125 and 3.(F)/125 located in Constanza-Mamaia on the Black Sea coast of Rumania.
Due to the situation in the area it was decided to withdraw these units to northern Europe in August 1944. On 25.8.1944 6 BV 138 had already reached List on Sylt, the remaining aircraft were on their way.
That the BV 138 was equipped with rockets of any kind is even harder to believe. Having gone through extensive records at the BA/MA in Freiburg, I have never seen any mention of such installations on this aircraft.
The only other seaplanes used by the Luftwaffe in southern Europe, were the Ar 196 equipped Staffeln of S.A.Gr. 126 in Greece, except for the Seenotdienst which aircraft most certainly did not use rockets.
Could you give the unit number of the Baltimore Squadron in question.

[cz_raf]

Hi,

many thanks for your valuable reply. It seems to me strange since begining so it was the reason why I have started this forum.

I am not sure but I believe it was 459 RAAF Sq or maybe 454 RAAF Sq, at the time operating - as I have recetly found - not from North Africa but already from Berka, Palestine.

Pavel

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Seaplanes

The only other seaplanes used by the Luftwaffe in southern Europe, were the Ar 196 equipped Staffeln of S.A.Gr. 126 in Greece, except for the Seenotdienst which aircraft most certainly did not use rockets.

There were Ju 52 floatplanes of Lufttransportstaffel (See) operating out of Phaleron early in 1944 but I don't know how long into the year they stayed.

[Seaplanes]

Dear Nick,
You are absolutely right. The Seetransportfliegerstaffel 1 was still operating with 12 Ju 52 floatplanes under Lw.Kdo. Südost in September 1944. However, if the Baltimore crew mistook a Ju 52 floatplane for a BV 138, I do not put my money on the Allied aircraft reconition training.